*BPOE - HQ in CHICAGO, IL CLICK HERE
BPO Elks HQ-Veterans Memorial-Chicago, IL
Click above for more on Jolly Corks
***Our History...
...The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune. Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.
~ When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
~ On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.
...The moving spirit for the Elks was an Englishman named Charles Algernon Sidney Vivian. Born October 22, 1842, this son of a clergyman was a successful comic singer and dancer in the music halls of London. In November 1867, Vivian arrived in New York City to try his fortune. Other actors and entertainers soon gravitated toward his magnetic personality. With everything closed on Sunday because of New York City Blue Laws, a group of theatrical people began meeting for their own amusement under Vivian's leadership. A loose organization was formed to make sure the larder was well-stocked for these gatherings. They called themselves the Jolly Corks, a name derived from a trick introduced by Vivian in which the uninitiated purchased a round of refreshments.
~ When one of their members died shortly before Christmas in 1867, leaving his wife and children destitute, the Jolly Corks decided that in addition to good fellowship, they needed a more enduring organization to serve those in need.
~ On February 16, 1868, they established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and elected Vivian to head it. Its social activities and benefit performances increased the popularity of the new Order. Membership grew rapidly. Elks traveling to other cities spread the word of the Brotherhood of Elks. Soon there were requests for Elks Lodges in cities other than New York. In response to these appeals, the Elks asked the New York State legislature for a charter authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge with the power to establish local Lodges anywhere in the United States. When the Grand Lodge Charter was issued, the founders then received the first local charter as New York Lodge No. 1 on March 10, 1871.
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Explore History... Click here >>> Elks History Project |
*OUR GRAND EXALTED RULER*
( National President ) DOUGLAS A. SCHIEFER
(JULIE) 1st LADY 
click for GL Program
***GRAND EXALTED RULER's SLOGAN***
Mail:
Office of Grand Exalted Ruler DOUGLAS A. SCHIEFER BPO ELKS, USA P. O. Box 123 ELYRIA, OH 44036-0123 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Aide to GER: LEE O. YOUNG ELYRIA, OHIO LODGE 465 P.O. BOX 123 ELYRIA, OH 44036-0123 Vertical Divider
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*GRAND SECRETARY:
BRYAN R. KLATT DEKALB, IL LODGE No. 765 GRAND SECRETARY OFFICE: 2750 N. Lakeview Ave, Chicago, IL 60614-1889 O: (773) 755-4708 / F: (773) 755-4709 Email: [email protected] |
**OUR STATE SPONSOR**
~ 2024 ~ Malcolm J. McPherson, PGER PAST GRAND EXALTED RULER (2017-2018) **Member of Lyndhurst, NJ Lodge No. 1505** ~ BIOGRAPHY ~
2024-2025 GL PROGRAM
***On October 13th, 2024:
~ Our Beloved State Sponsor, Paul David Helsel, PGER has Passed "To Realms on High" ~ Our Thoughts and Prayers are with him forever. ~ Our Thoughts and Prayers for Jane and Family are always with them!!
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*GRAND LODGE TRUSTEE* BOARD of GRAND TRUSTEES AREA 2 (BUILDING APPLICATIONS - EAST) SANDRA C. BRANTNER (JAMES STEWART, PSP) W DISTRICT 3840 - OAKLAND, MD LODGE 2481 
"SDGER: SPECIAL DEPUTY, GRAND EXALTED RULER"
MD-DE-DC Elks Association John C. Loftus (Eileen) OCEAN CITY, MD LODGE No. 2645 Cell: (302) 430-8202 / Home: (302) 537-4354 Email: [email protected] *Grand Lodge Government Relations Committee*
(Area 2) JOHN C. LOFTUS SE DISTRICT 3760 - OCEAN CITY, MD LODGE 2645 
2024-2025 GL PROGRAM
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~ 2024-2025 Grand Lodge Program Link ~
**DISTRICT DEPUTY, GER**
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NC District DDGER Kevin Rose
NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT - 3680
DDGER KEVIN ROSE (DELANA) GLEN BURNIE, MD LODGE 2266 Cell: (410) 984-0079 Email: [email protected]
SW District DDGER Linda Kilpatrick
SOUTH WEST DISTRICT – 3800
DDGER LINDA A. KILPATRICK (CARA MILLER) DEALE, MD LODGE 2528 Cell: (443) 871-3314 Email: [email protected]
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NE District DDGER Colleen Ford
NORTH EAST DISTRICT — 3720
DDGER COLLEEN FORD ( MIKE ) ABINGDON, MD LODGE 2354 Cell: Email: [email protected]
SE District DDGER Rick Frere
SOUTH EAST DISTRICT – 3760
DDGER RICHARD FRERE (CONNIE) KENT ISLAND, MD LODGE 2576 Cell: (301) 580-0739 Email: [email protected]
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W District DDGER Michael Collins
WEST DISTRICT – 3840
DDGER MICHAEL COLLINS
(RENE')
HAGERSTOWN, MD LODGE 378
Cell: (301) 667-3176
Email: [email protected]
DDGER MICHAEL COLLINS
(RENE')
HAGERSTOWN, MD LODGE 378
Cell: (301) 667-3176
Email: [email protected]
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**DD CLINICS:
~ 2025 APRIL: TBA |
